Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, which frustrates patients and practitioners alike because of its resistance to treatment. It has been associated with obesity, middle age, and biomechanical abnormalities in the foot, such as tight Achilles tendon, pes cavus, and pes planus. It is considered to be most often the result of a degenerative process at the origin of the plantar fascia at the calcaneus. However, neurogenic and other causes of subcalcaneal pain are frequently cited. A combination of causative factors may be present, or the true cause may remain obscure. Although normally managed with conservative treatment, plantar fasciitis is frequently resistant to the wide variety of treatments commonly used, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, pads, cups, splints, orthotics, corticosteroid injections, casts, physical therapy, ice, and heat. Although there is no consensus on the efficacy of any particular conservative treatment regimen, there is agreement that nonsurgical treatment is ultimately effective in approximately 90% of patients. Since the natural history of plantar fasciitis has not been established, it is unclear how much of symptom resolution is in fact due to the wide variety of commonly used treatments.     

Cryosurgery: An Innovative Technique for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

A prospective study testing the efficacy of cryosurgery on painful plantar fasciitis of the heel was performed. Cryosurgery, a minimally invasive, percutaneous, office-based technique, was used to treat 59 consecutive patients (61 heels), who had failed prior conservative therapy and were considered surgical candidates. Patients were evaluated on an 11-point visual analog scale administered preoperatively and up to 1 year of follow-up. The mean pain rating (8.38) before cryosurgery (day 0) is statistically significant to the mean pain rating (1.26) at day 365 postoperatively. Pain decreased significantly after the procedure (analysis of variance, P < .0001). These results suggest cryosurgery is significantly effective in treating patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Cryosurgery offers a highly effective treatment modality after failed conservative treatment without resorting to open invasive outpatient surgery.     

A Case Report of Heel Pain Mimicking Plantar Fasciitis and Osteosarcoma: A Unique Presentation of a Nora's Lesion

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation, otherwise known as “Nora's lesion,” is a rare benign neoplasm first described by Nora in 1983. The exact etiology of this neoplasm remains unknown, and its presentation in the lower extremity presents a diagnostic challenge, as both clinical and radiologic features cannot fully differentiate it from other neoplasms. We present the case of a 48-year-old female with plantar heel pain secondary to Nora's lesion mimicking plantar fasciitis and periosteal osteosarcoma. Following bone biopsy for histopathologic analysis, the patient's symptoms spontaneously resolved, and she returned to activity with complete resolution of symptoms 18 months post biopsy. Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation as an etiology for plantar heel pain has not been previously described in the literature. Although rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with plantar heel pain, especially after failed conservative treatment. Following diagnostic confirmation by histopathology, complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice.     

Comparison of the Isolated Plantar Fascia Release Versus Plantar Fascia Release Combined With Calcaneal Decompression in Management of the Patients With Resistant Heel Pain

We aimed to compare isolated percutaneous plantar fascia release by using a needle versus percutaneous plantar fascia release combined with calcaneal decompression in treatment of the patients with resistant heel pain. We reviewed the prospectively recorded data of patients who treated and follow-up for resistant heel pain (treated more than 6 months with other treatment modalities) with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Twenty patients were treated with plantar fascia release using a needle (group 1) and 21 patients were treated with a similar percutaneous release combined with calcaneal decompression (group 2). Functional outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) pre- and postoperatively. No significant differences were observed between both groups in terms of age (44.3 years in group 1 vs 46.8 years in group 2), gender (18 females and 2 males in group 1 vs 19 females and 3 males in group 2), body mass index (25.1 in group 1 vs 26.3 in group 2), and follow-up (14.6 months in group 1 vs 15.7 months in group 2). The decrease in postoperative FFI and VAS scores compared with preoperative VAS scores was statistically significant in both groups. However, improvement of FFI and VAS score was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1. Although both methods are very effective in the treatment of persistent heel pain, the group 2 has a better improvement in functional scores than group 1 with a mean 15 months following the procedure.     

A Review of 105 Consecutive Uniport Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release Procedures for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain in the U.S. Army soldier, resulting in a significant loss of man hours. Given the heavy operations tempo of the U.S. military, successful treatment options need to be considered and used as quickly as possible. Plantar fasciitis can be successfully treated in up to 90% of patients using conservative measures. Operative intervention might need to be considered for those in whom conservative measures have failed. The present report is a review of 105 consecutive uniport endoscopic plantar fascial release procedures performed by the principal investigator during a 9-year period. The following data were collected and analyzed: gender, age, weight, height, body mass index, medical treatment facility, procedure laterality, preoperative pain levels, postoperative pain levels at 3 months, first ambulatory day in the controlled ankle motion boot, return to activity as tolerated, and complications. Three major points were of interest: evidence of improvement in chronic plantar fasciitis when treated with uniport endoscopic procedures; the patient attributes associated with self-reported pain levels 90 days postoperatively; and the patient attributes associated with the average time until patients were able to return to activities as tolerated in a controlled ankle motion boot. It was noted that 44.5% of those with a body mass index of 29.80 kg/m² or greater reported a postoperative pain level of 0; and 96.3% of those with a body mass index of 25.53 kg/m² or less reported postoperative pain levels of 0. The analyzed data were used to characterize the clinical outcomes of the procedure, identify changes in outcome with surgeon experience, and identify whether certain patient subgroups have better outcomes, allowing surgeons to identify which patient might be the best candidates for an endoscopic release procedure.     

Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis with Noninvasive Interactive Neurostimulation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

The initial treatment of plantar fasciitis should be conservative, with most cases responding to standard physiotherapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), heel pads, and stretching. In cases of chronic refractory symptoms, more invasive treatment could be necessary. Noninvasive interactive neurostimulation (NIN) is a form of electric therapy that works by locating areas of lower skin impedance. The objective of the present prospective randomized controlled study was to evaluate whether the use of NIN for chronic plantar fasciitis could result in greater improvement in a foot functional score, lower levels of reported pain, reduced patient consumption of NSAIDs, and greater patient satisfaction compared with electric shockwave therapy in patients without a response to standard conservative treatment. The patients were randomized using random blocks to the NIN program (group 1) or electric shockwave therapy (group 2). The outcome measurements were the pain subscale of the validated Foot Function Index (PS-FFI), patient-reported subjective assessment of the level of pain using a standard visual analog scale, and daily intake of NSAID tablets (etoricoxib 60 mg). The study group was evaluated at baseline (time 0), week 4 (time 1), and week 12 (final follow-up point). Group 1 (55 patients) experienced significantly better results compared with group 2 (49 patients) in term of the PS-FFI score, visual analog scale score, and daily intake of etoricoxib 60 mg. NIN was an effective treatment of chronic resistant plantar fasciitis, with full patient satisfaction in >90% of cases. The present prospective randomized controlled study showed superior results for noninvasive neurostimulation compared with electric shockwave therapy, in terms of the functional score, pain improvement, and use of NSAIDs.     

Sterile Abscess Formation Following a Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

A sterile abscess following a corticosteroid injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis has not been reported in the literature. This case report demonstrates such a complication. A 45-year-old man presented with pain, erythemia, edema, and increased warmth to his left foot after 2 cortisone injections into his left heel over a 2-month period for plantar fasciitis. The symptoms began shortly after the second injection and after a 10-day course of oral antibiotics, the condition slowly worsened. A computerized axial tomography scan was suggestive of an abscess. Following incision and drainage, cultures that were taken during the surgical procedure did not produce any organism, prompting a diagnosis of a sterile abscess. The patient was discharged home and recovered from the abscess without reoccurrence or further surgical intervention.     

Intense Therapeutic Ultrasound for Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Pivotal Study Exploring Efficacy,Safety, and Patient Tolerance

Intense therapeutic ultrasound for chronic plantar fasciitis musculoskeletal tissue pain reduction was evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial examining effectiveness, safety, and patient tolerance. In this single-blinded study, 33 patients received 2 treatments that were 4 weeks apart on plantar fascia tissue along with conservative standard of care. Patients were followed for up to 6 months after the first treatment, receiving a physical examination and diagnostic ultrasound at each follow-up visit and completing patient-/subject-reported outcome measure and Foot Function Index surveys. The goal was to reduce overall pain by ≥25% on average and >25% individually. Hypoechoic area changes on diagnostic ultrasound and adverse events were measured. The percentage meeting pain reduction criteria at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 26 were 72%, 81%, 86%, and 79%, respectively. Mean pain scores at each visit were significantly different from baseline (p < .001) at –39%, –49%, –51%, and –44%. Hypoechoic lesions were found in all patients and decreased in size significantly (p < .05) at weeks 8 and 12 (–56% and –67%). Foot Function Index scores declined favorably from baseline (p < .001) at all time points (–32%, –46%, –49%, and –32%). The percentages of patients meeting satisfaction criteria were 72%, 85%, 90%, and 83%. The mean pain score during treatment 1 was 3.4, and during treatment 2, 2.9. Attrition of only 1 patient owing to pain occurred, after treatment 1. No adverse events occurred. Intense therapeutic ultrasound for chronic plantar fasciitis is shown to be effective, safe, and well tolerated in this pivotal clinical trial.     

Gastrocnemius Recession in Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. Recalcitrant plantar fasciitis can be difficult to manage. Medial gastrocnemius recession is increasingly being used to treat recalcitrant plantar fasciitis, with advocates describing fewer complications and quicker recovery time than other surgical options. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of gastrocnemius recession for the treatment of patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Multiple databases were searched using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The level of evidence of each study was assessed according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Levels of Evidence. The level of bias for each study was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools. Seven studies were retrieved: 3 retrospective case series, 1 retrospective study that compared gastrocnemius recession to open plantar fasciotomy, 1 prospective cohort study (pre-post study with no control group), and 2 randomized controlled trials. All 6 studies that assessed pre- and postoperative pain using the Visual Analogue Scale showed a large reduction in pain postoperatively. Four studies that assessed pain at 12 months postoperatively showed a weighted mean of 76.06 ± 10.65% reduction in pain. No major complications were reported. Minor complications included sural neuritis. This review found a consistent reduction in pain following gastrocnemius release in patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis, suggesting it is a very promising treatment. However, the included studies are limited by low quality study designs and inherent biases, limiting the strength of recommendation. Further definitive, well-designed trials are required.     

A Retrospective Comparison of Percutaneous Plantar Fasciotomy and Open Plantar Fasciotomy with Heel Spur Resection

Minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of recalcitrant heel pain is a relatively new approach. To compare the 2 approaches, a retrospective chart review was conducted of 53 patients (55 feet) who had undergone surgical treatment of plantar fasciitis by either open fasciotomy with heel spur resection or percutaneous medial fascial release. The outcomes measures included perioperative pain and the interval to return to full activity. Pain was measured on a subjective 10-point visual analog scale. Of the 55 fasciotomies performed, 23 were percutaneous and 32 were open, with adjunctive heel spur resection. The percutaneous group experienced a mean pain reduction of 5.69 points at the first postoperative visit, whereas open fasciotomy group experienced a mean pain reduction of 3.53 points. At 12 months postoperatively, no statistically significant difference was found in the pain levels between the 2 groups. The results also showed that the percutaneous group returned to normal activity an average of 2.82 weeks (p < .001) faster than the open group. In the patient cohorts studied, percutaneous medial fascial release was as effective at resolving recalcitrant plantar fasciitis pain as the open procedure and involved less postoperative pain and a faster return to full activity.     

The Top 100 Cited Articles on Plantar Fasciitis: A Bibliometric Analysis

Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal complaint seen in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of the top 100 articles published on the topic of plantar fasciitis. The Web of Science platform was used to search for articles on plantar fasciitis published between 1975 and 2021. Articles were subsequently ranked from the most to least cited. The top 100 studies were analyzed and their characteristics described. A total of 1859 articles were identified. The most cited article was “A retrospective case-control injuries analysis of 2002 running” published by Taunton JE et al in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2002. This article had a total of 910 citations. The mean number of citations per article in the top 100 was 139.95 (range 83-910). The majority of articles were published between the years 2000 to 2009 (n = 56). The USA had the highest number of publications (n = 55), while ‘Foot and Ankle International’ was the journal with the most publications in the top 100 (n =10). Plantar fasciitis is a well-studied topic. Despite this, however, a significant interest in plantar fasciitis research remains among clinicians and researchers evident by the high number of recent studies published on this topic. It is anticipated that these more recent studies will become highly cited over time and as such, this bibliometric analysis should be continuously updated.     

Assessing the Quality and Readability of Online Resources for Plantar Fasciitis

The Internet is utilized now more than ever to research medical conditions and treatments by patients and physicians alike. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and readability of information available online for plantar fasciitis. Web sites were identified using the search term “plantar fasciitis.” The first 25 Web sites from 5 different search engines gave a total of 125 being evaluated. Readability of each Web site was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease score, the Flesch-Kincaid grade level, and the Gunning Fog Index. Quality was assessed using the DISCERN instrument (www.discern.org.uk) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. The presence of Health on the Net (HON) code certification was also assessed. The authorship of each Web site was categorized into 1 of 5 categories (Physician, Academic, Commercial, Allied health or Other eg, blogs). A total of 83 Web site pages were evaluated with the majority of the web sites being authored by physicians (32.53%) and blogs (25.30%). Only 24 Web sites were HON certified (28.91%). Physician and Academic Web sites were the most credible sources, with the highest mean DISCERN (p = .00001) and JAMA (p = .0278.) scores, respectively. These Web sites were also the most difficult to read according to the readability score testing. The information available on the Internet pertaining to plantar fasciitis is highly variable and provides moderate quality information about treatment choices. Given this variability in quality, health care providers should direct patients to known sources of reliable, readable online information.     

Radiologic and Demographic Characteristics of Patients With Plantar Calcaneal Spur

Many people with heel pain in the general population are often diagnosed with plantar calcaneal spurs (PCS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological and demographic characteristics of PCS patients and to compare the differences with the control group. In 2018, 420 patients with weightbearing lateral ankle X-ray images were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups as PCS group and control group. Groups were compared age and age group (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over) weight, height, body mass index (<25, 25-30, >30), chronic diseases as demographically and were also compared radiologically as calcaneal inclination angle (CIA), lateral talocalcaneal angle (LTCA), Bohler angle and Gissane angle. A statistically significant relationship was found between gender and PCS. Plantar calcaneal spur is more common in females than in males (X²:8.101, p < .03). PCS was less common in patients with BMI <25 and 25-29.9, whereas PCS is more common in patients with BMI >30 (X²:7.698, p < .021). Although the CIA angle was within normal limits in both groups, it was significantly lower in patients with PCS than in the control group(p < .05). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, chronic disease, LTCA, Bohler angle, Gissane angle. Female gender and obesity are among the risk factors for PCS formation. CIA may have an important role in PCS formation. In order to clarify the etiology and pathophysiology of PCS, further studies with radiological features are needed.